Packers add competition for Masthay

After a sub par 2014 season for punter Tim Masthay, the Green Bay Packers are adding some competition to the position by signing former Alabama punter Cody Mandell.

Mandell was cut by the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 9. During his senior season at Alabama, in 2013, Mandell was named to the all-SEC team and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award.

Masthay finished 30th in net average (37 yards), 26th in gross average (44.1) and 32nd in punts inside the 20-yard line (14).

Overall, the Packers’ special teams ranked 32nd out of 32 teams, according to the annual rankings by The Dallas Morning News.

This isn’t the first time the Packers have added kicking competition.

With Mason Crosby coming off a career-worst season in 2012, the Packers signed Giorgio Tavecchio as competition in March of 2013. Tavecchio performed well, but Crosby held onto his job and went on to have two of his best NFL seasons.

Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy and his family laid to rest the Packers coach’s younger brother on Monday in Pennsylvania.

Joseph McCarthy III died Jan. 21 at the age of 47.

A large contingent of friends and colleagues from the Packers and other NFL organizations were on hand for the Monday service.